Mumbai, September 24: A Ticket Collector (TC) named Ashish Pande, working for Western Railway (WR), has been suspended after an audio clip surfaced online where he allegedly made objectionable comments about Maharashtrians and a minority community.
Pande, originally from Uttar Pradesh and living in Vikhroli, Mumbai, was suspended on Sunday by the Western Railway's Mumbai Divisional Railway Manager (DRM). The suspension came after the audio clip was posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) and quickly went viral, causing widespread anger.
In the audio clip, Pande is purportedly heard making negative remarks about Maharashtra natives and a particular religious community. The WR immediately suspended him and ordered an investigation into the matter.
The Western Railway’s DRM responded on social media, saying, “We take this matter very seriously. The staff member has been suspended, and a thorough investigation will follow. We will ensure accountability and take appropriate actions based on the findings.”
This swift action highlights Western Railway’s commitment to maintaining high standards and protecting the integrity of its services.